Skoda has announced information of its upcoming new launches – the Octavia RS, Rapid Monte Carlo and Kodiaq – for the Indian market.

Out of the three models, the Skoda Kodiaq will be launched in the last quarter of this calendar year, while the Octavia RS and Rapid Monte Carlo will be launched this month. The car manufacturer has already started accepting booking for the models and the Kodiaq can be booked for Rs 1 lakh, as confirmed by a dealer in Delhi.

The new Skoda Kodiaq is based on the company's MQB platform that as well underpins the present Superb and the Octavia. The company has not yet confirmed the engine options, but it is expected to be powered by three engine options, a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol with 177 hp of power and 320 Nm of torque and a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that generates 147 hp and 340 Nm of torque or 187 hp of power and 400 Nm of peak torque. The engines will be paired to a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

The upcoming Kodiaq will feature projector headlamps with LED lamps, LED split tail lamps along with a panoramic sunroof. The exterior will also boast of body-coloured roof rails, a blacked-out section on the front and rear bumpers and side body cladding. The cabin of the first seven-seater SUV will be accessible with Connect touchscreen infotainment along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The higher variants of the Kodiaq are expected to acquire six airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EDB.

The Kodiaq’s outcome in India eventually depends a lot on how Skoda positions it in the segment comprising of SUVs resembling the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. The prices of the Fortuner, the best-selling SUV in this segment, start from Rs 24.41 lakh and set out up to Rs 29.18 lakh (both ex-showroom Delhi).

The new Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo will be powered by the regular Rapid's 1.6 litre MPI petrol engine that will be paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.5 litre TDI unit will power the diesel versions and will be mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The carmaker will moreover offer the Monte Carlo with 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo will attain red exterior with contrast all-black interior.

The upcoming car will also acquire blacked-out ORVMs, 16-inch blackened alloy wheels and a tailgate spoiler in black. The cabin, on the other hand, will catch faux-carbon fibre trim on the dashboard, a flat-bottom steering wheel, upholstery with red stitching on the gear knob and aluminium sports pedals.